Dan Falloon
Beginning next week, the Fort Frances Lakers will be without the services of one of their top-notch goalies.
It’s for a fantastic reason, though, as Jameson Shortreed was named to Team West, which will compete in the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Penticton, B.C. from Nov. 8-14.
Lakers’ head coach Wayne Strachan was thrilled for Shortreed, who sports a 4-3-0 record along with a 2.84 GAA and .901 save percentage.
“Jameson being selected to Team West will not only be a good
experience for him, but it’ll probably bring some future draw of scouts in to watch us,” he noted.
“I’m sure he’ll put on a good showing there and have people watching him.”
Strachan said the 17-year-old will leave sometime next week, and that Tyler Ampe will shoulder the load while the defending SIJHL goalie-of-the-year is away.
“Obviously we’re not in panic mode that we have to bring someone in because we’re definitely confident Tyler Ampe can do the job,” Strachan stressed.
“But if he does need a break for whatever reason, we should have somebody that could complement him and get the job done for the team, too.
“In the span that Jameson won’t be here, we’ll only play four games, maybe five,” he added.
To help stave off rust, Shortreed will be given the start tonight when the Lakers host the Dryden Ice Dogs at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The team also is holding a “winter coat toss” in conjunction with the annual drive sponsored by the Associates of St. Marguerite d’Youville.
Fans are encouraged to toss coats, mittens, winter hats, and boots, which are clean and in good condition, onto the ice after the Lakers score their first goal.
Ice Dogs’ netminder Ian Perrier has been stingy, though, not allowing a goal in either of his games last week en route to earning SIJHL player-of-the-week honours.
Perrier also handed the Lakers their lone shutout of the season—a 1-0 setback on Sept. 21—although Fort Frances did rally to win the next two games over Dryden.
